[11/13/06 - 09:12 PM]Heartfelt Holiday Wishes Are Granted as ABC Family Celebrates the Season with 'Dear Santa' on November 28The special features appreances by Matt Dallas, Sarah Chalke, Tony Hawk, Brian McKnight, Raven-Symoné, Wilmer Valderama and Kristen Bell.

[via press release from ABC Family]

HEARTFELT HOLIDAY WISHES ARE GRANTED AS ABC FAMILY CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH �DEAR SANTA� ON NOVEMBER 28

Partnering With The United States Postal Service and 7-Eleven,
Santa Helps Holiday Dreams Come True.

Burbank, CA (November 13, 2006) � This time of year kids from all over the world take the time to write one man who can make all of their dreams come true, Santa Claus. While some children ask for a train set or a doll, others write for special Christmas wishes that most people take for granted. In the holiday special DEAR SANTA, Thursday, Nov. 28 (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT), Santa grants the special wishes of children with a little help from celebrity �elves� Matt Dallas (�Kyle XY�), Sarah Chalke (�Scrubs�), pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk, hit recording artist Brian McKnight, Raven-Symon� (�That�s So Raven�), Wilmer Valderama (�That 70�s Show�) and host Kristen Bell (�Veronica Mars�).

Roel wrote to Santa about his family and the predicament they were in. A few months ago, Roel�s aunt and uncle were killed and now his four female cousins have come to live with them. His mother Blanca and father Atilo are trying to adopt the girls to keep the family together, but it�s a slow process under emotional conditions. In order to accommodate a family of seven in the home previously occupied only by Roel and his parents, his mother and father have given up their bedroom to the girls and now sleep on the floor of the family room. Additionally, Blanca has had to quit working so she can watch over all the young children now in her care. Outside daycare is out of the question financially. In a time of grieving and hardship, Blanca and Atilo have put the kids first and are working hard to keep the family together. With a visit by the LA Galaxy soccer team, a trip to the American Girl Place� Los Angeles and a special surprise, the children will have their Christmas wishes come true.

The special will also take a look at two of last year�s children who were granted extraordinary Christmas wishes and see how they are doing. These special families will help pass along the giving spirit by �paying it forward� to others in need.

DEAR SANTA is produced by Mann Made Productions and City Explorer TV in association with The United States Postal Service for ABC Family. The special was directed by Darren Mann and executive produced by Darren Mann, David Veckerelli and Mitchell Galin.

Distributed in over 90 million homes, ABC Family features original movies, series and specials reflecting today�s families and entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today�s relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.